GAY PEOPLE ON BOARD

[Omilona]

21 hours ago, nashkan said:

Is this a problem if two men slow dance together?

It certainly would not be a problem for me or for my family. And I would take great pleasure in telling any jerk who gave you a hard time to take a seat. They are generally reluctant to punch a lady, but if they should, my secret weapon of black belt dear daughter is happy to take care of business for us. I hope you will be on our sailing in June next year and will sit at our table !

[nimiq]

in the meantime aren't we all  just wanting to board a ship and enjoy ever moment.

 

I always get so excited on cruise day and boarding the ship but next time it will be even bigger as

this Covid thing got us miss the people we love and things we love to do.

 

Sea ya

 

Eric

[Sue from Canada]

20 hours ago, nimiq said:

I know this may sound crazy for some but as a gay couple ...I still cant seem to be comfortable enough to have a slow dance with my partner on a cruise ship. We have never had any bad experience when saying we are a couple to people we meet but to actually slow dance yikes I personally cant yet. 

 

Cant wait to see you all miss cruising

 

Sea ya

 

Eric

Why don't you try getting up towards the end of the song for a quick dance and see how you feel.

 

[lyndarra]

15 hours ago, Randyk47 said:

Years and years ago on the now gone MS Ryndam my wife and I made friends with a gay couple.  One of the first nights on the ship we were looking for a place to sit in the Crow’s Nest and they invited us to share what were back in those days long curving sofas.   We had a great time with them and we always sat together for our pre-dinner cocktails.  The first formal night, and this was when there was always a live band in the Crow’s Nest, my wife and I got up to dance and the guys joined us on the dance floor.   About half way through the second piece one of the guys tapped me on the shoulder and I step aside to let him dance with my wife.  There was this moment when his partner and I was standing there watching them dance and I turned to him and asked him to dance.  Great times and one of many fond memories from our HAL cruises.   

How did you decide who led?😉

[nashkan]

WOW.... thank you all .... we have been together 38 years ....TWO MEN  ..only us 38 years and NO ONE CAN TELL ME ....we were not GOD BLESSED.....we will DANCE.... yes we will dance 

 

[NCTribeFan]

12 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

I am not gay.  But, I am a solo cruiser most of the time.  If the music that I am enjoying prompts me to get out of my seat and dance as a solo, I will do so.  Yes, I have had some "odd looks" at times.  That's those people problems, not mine.  I have been joined by others at times when I have done this.  More than once, I have been joined by ladies who have been dancing "solo" or with other women when their husbands have chosen not to dance.  

 

Yep, me too!  I can't hear good music and NOT get up and dance.  I almost always end up with a few of the same gals most nights who join me for our "chick dancing."

 

Some of the most fun people I've met on cruises have been gay couples.  

 

I've also had gay tablemates but never at a large table.  I'd be outraged if anyone I was dining with was rude to them.  This is one of the (few) advantages to Anytime Dining.  You won't get stuck with an obnoxious person/couple/group every night.

 

As for unpleasant experiences on HAL (I've only sailed them 3 times), I pretty much had a guy stalking me in the casino on K'dam.  Finally, near the end of the cruise, one of the men who was also at the Roulette wheel most nights finally told the guy, "hey, just leave her alone.  She's not interested."  Sadly, so many of us were raised to be "polite" and too many men take that as encouragement.  But don't you dare be "rude" to them and ask them to leave you alone because then you risk really making them angry and that can be dangerous.  Thankfully, I had some folks I was hanging with who I'd met in the MDR and they became my "posse" for the next couple of nights and he stayed away.

 

Anyway, OP, dance away!

[Randyk47]

7 hours ago, lyndarra said:

How did you decide who led?😉

 I think I did but I don’t recall how that was decided.   I think he may have been following his partner so he just stayed in that mode.   

[DFD1]

7 hours ago, nashkan said:

WOW.... thank you all .... we have been together 38 years ....TWO MEN  ..only us 38 years and NO ONE CAN TELL ME ....we were not GOD BLESSED.....we will DANCE.... yes we will dance 

 

Congratulations.......38 years...You should be very proud and feel very lucky at the same time, and I'm sure you do. I hope you have many more years together. You're a great example for us all, gay or straight.

[Mary229]

Well for those heading to the Med on their next cruise I have a theme YouTube playlist - all great crooner and lounge favorites.  I get up and dance to regularly as I practice my Italian!   There is a little Spanish there too

 

Here is the link

 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbjPFHp0mHMNvMC7FXbprut_tCfNXEgBd

Edited March 19, 2021 by Mary229

[Lady Arwen]

8 hours ago, nashkan said:

WOW.... thank you all .... we have been together 38 years ....TWO MEN  ..only us 38 years and NO ONE CAN TELL ME ....we were not GOD BLESSED.....we will DANCE.... yes we will dance 

 

Congratulations you two!  Now, that’s true love......wishing you many more happy years together.  Love, laugh, dance!

[Djptcp]

We would certainly not be uncomfortable or offended to see two gay men or women dancing together and would be very disappointed to witness HAL passengers who would be so homophobic and prejudiced as to be upset. Congratulations on 38 years together!! Have a great cruise!

[Sir PMP]

On 3/17/2021 at 10:48 PM, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

Not one bit, just as long as you don’t step on other dancers toes 🤓

Especially on my blue suede shoes!

[papadave]

Dance like nobody's watching.

It is your vacation.    

If someone doesn't like it, let them go sulk in their cabin.

[kevingastreich]

22 hours ago, sandiego1 said:

I hope you dance together on your next cruise - and all cruises going forward! If we are on the same ship, I would, on your behalf, be happy to confront anyone that gave you grief. I'm originally from Brooklyn and can be pretty tough!

What makes you think they can't take care of themselves? You ever hear of the phrase "Tend to your own knitting"?

[sandiego1]

17 minutes ago, kevingastreich said:

What makes you think they can't take care of themselves? You ever hear of the phrase "Tend to your own knitting"?

I was just trying to show my support for the OP. Sometimes people are uncomfortable confronting someone that is insulting them. I wanted them to know that this woman would back them up. 

 

And no, I've never heard that phrase.

[Horizon chaser 1957]

On 3/18/2021 at 8:45 AM, HamOp said:

I'm quite sure a lot of people of the "older" generation would have a problem with two gay guys dancing together. 

Because being gay was invented by millennials.😉

At least half the gay couples I’ve met on cruises are people of the older generation. 

Edited March 20, 2021 by Horizon chaser 1957

[groundloop]

On 3/18/2021 at 11:38 AM, Lady Arwen said:

Wow, that takes a big person to admit that!  I just gained a lot of respect for you.  

Well, I can still be a total jerk in a lot of ways...... just ask my wife.  😃

[POA1]

On 3/18/2021 at 1:40 AM, nashkan said:

Is this a problem if two men slow dance together?

No.

[Lazy Lakes]

I was on the Holiday cruise on the Amsterdam in 2019 and several man were dancing, special on New years eve. Some of them came to the daily social in the ocean bar. Then on the 2020 WC did not see any guys dancing, one of the dance host asked me but I was to chicken as I just came out the closet.

We had a great group of guys and a few ladies join the LGBT group . Their were only 2 bad appels whom tried to spoil it for me but most people  were great. On the final tea party staff set a table up with the rainbow flag colors.

[ScottC4746]

On 3/17/2021 at 10:40 PM, nashkan said:

Is this a problem if two men slow dance together?

I was very hesitant to open the thread fearing what the responses would be.  We have been cruising since the late 90's on Princess, RCCL, and HAL and never had a problem being who we are.  We aren't dancers both because both of us have two left feet and no rhythm.  Glad you got very supportive responses.  We always get a two top table and attend the LGBT or Friends of Dorothy groups.  The only issue we think we might have had was RCCL in 2005.  There was a large family (10 top) next to our two top and we saw them the first and last night only.  We feel it was us, but it may have been they aren't into formal dining.

[papadave]

2 hours ago, ScottC4746 said:

I was very hesitant to open the thread fearing what the responses would be.  We have been cruising since the late 90's on Princess, RCCL, and HAL and never had a problem being who we are.  We aren't dancers both because both of us have two left feet and no rhythm.  Glad you got very supportive responses.  We always get a two top table and attend the LGBT or Friends of Dorothy groups.  The only issue we think we might have had was RCCL in 2005.  There was a large family (10 top) next to our two top and we saw them the first and last night only.  We feel it was us, but it may have been they aren't into formal dining.

It would not be a shock if a family of 10 couldn't handle sitting together for a multicourse meal for more than one night.    When we were with a full family group, for my parents' 50th anniversary, we had very few meals where all of us made it through dinner start to finish and quite a few nights where we rebooked as smaller groups or some of us just ate in the buffet.   

 

Back in 2005, I remember the coded name "Friends of Dorothy" which parallels "Friends of Bill" and that phrase seems to have passed as cruise lines often make an effort to show that they are inclusive and don't need to hide anyone away.

 

That much said, public displays of affection, straight or gay, are not in everyone's comfort zone, so if you are doing much more than slow dancing, you may get some side eye.   Still, I've seen that happen regardless of sexual preference.

 

Lastly, if you find yourself more comfortable with a near guarantee that you won't be judged, ask any cruise line if they have designated gay cruises.    Certainly, that would be at your option, as anyone who is judging you has problems of their own which they need to deal with.   You should be able to enjoy your cruise and not worry about other folks' hang ups.   

[Sweetnspicy]

I am so, so sorry you even had to ask this question. I hope you both dance your hearts out. You deserve the happiness and joy that dancing provides just like anyone else. 🏳️‍🌈 

[Sue from Canada]

7 hours ago, ScottC4746 said:

I was very hesitant to open the thread fearing what the responses would be.  We have been cruising since the late 90's on Princess, RCCL, and HAL and never had a problem being who we are.  We aren't dancers both because both of us have two left feet and no rhythm.  Glad you got very supportive responses.  We always get a two top table and attend the LGBT or Friends of Dorothy groups.  The only issue we think we might have had was RCCL in 2005.  There was a large family (10 top) next to our two top and we saw them the first and last night only.  We feel it was us, but it may have been they aren't into formal dining.

A few years ago mum and I have two of the nicest and funniest gay men at out table.  I'll take gay men at my table any time.  

[ScottC4746]

9 hours ago, papadave said:

It would not be a shock if a family of 10 couldn't handle sitting together for a multicourse meal for more than one night.    When we were with a full family group, for my parents' 50th anniversary, we had very few meals where all of us made it through dinner start to finish and quite a few nights where we rebooked as smaller groups or some of us just ate in the buffet.   

 

Back in 2005, I remember the coded name "Friends of Dorothy" which parallels "Friends of Bill" and that phrase seems to have passed as cruise lines often make an effort to show that they are inclusive and don't need to hide anyone away.

 

That much said, public displays of affection, straight or gay, are not in everyone's comfort zone, so if you are doing much more than slow dancing, you may get some side eye.   Still, I've seen that happen regardless of sexual preference.

 

Lastly, if you find yourself more comfortable with a near guarantee that you won't be judged, ask any cruise line if they have designated gay cruises.    Certainly, that would be at your option, as anyone who is judging you has problems of their own which they need to deal with.   You should be able to enjoy your cruise and not worry about other folks' hang ups.   

These gay cruises are often not put on by the cruise line themselves but companies like RSVP where they charter a cruise ship.  Sadly these are not traditional style cruises and more floating white parties or circuit parties.  I am in my 50's and I am not interested in those.  When I was of that age I wasn't interested in those, seeing how many humans can fit in a square foot...no thank you. 🙂

[rkacruiser]

17 hours ago, Sue from Canada said:

A few years ago mum and I have two of the nicest and funniest gay men at out table.  I'll take gay men at my table any time.  

 

No real idea if the two gentlemen at my table on Nieuw Statendam were gay.  I think they were.  So what?  They were two delightful gentlemen who were beginning to explore the world of cruising.  

 

If not gay, they were obviously good friends.  I have cruised with another male who was a good friend.  Now, I wonder, did someone(s) on those three cruises think that Richard and I were gay?